Lawns wildlife vs kids

[Jimny14]

So we have a lawn which we're keeping to give the kids somewhere to play but at the same time I like to keep things as wildlife friendly as possible. So I thought I'd share our lawn and how it's managed to try and cut a balance between kids play area and wildlife help. Any suggestions would be welcomed for wildlife friendly ideas thanks.




Here's the lawn, pretty big and pretty flat on the whole, good for a run about etc. It gets mowed regularly to keep little ones from having to wade through the grass but on closer inspection there is still room for flowers which must help wildlife





There are areas around the garden tucked away log piles, and weedy areas, including a good stretch of native mixed hedge which we're trying to get looking better at the moment which should increase our biodiversity further soon.

[Scarlet]

I've a really large lawn - my grown up kids are using it for frisbee at the moment, archery in the winter I can't cope with the borders I have now so I wouldn't cut it up and make myself more work even though I would like to move away from this basic design with borders on 3 sides.
I've added more trees to one end for the birds, I leave lots of messy piles, twigs and leaves get piled up in areas - I don't have the time really to add more stuff...but with the lack of rain again this year my grass is getting yellower by the minute. We've not cut it for weeks.
My wildlife hedging that I planted late winter/early spring is coming on a treat - I've had to water that with the hose

[1Bee]

Try not mowing a section of it, but mow paths through... from experience my kids love losing themselves in head-high grasses.

My 'lawn' (HA!) on the plot is thick with wildflowers, and all I've done is keep mowing a patch of ground and digging out the occasional dock. Bees love clover.

[Jimny14]

Thanks 1bee, unfortunately don't think I'm going to be allowed to leave it to grow out, think my other half would take umbridge.

[Scarlet]

I would love to leave a bit...but the nettles are everywhere if I let it grow long.

[happyhumph]

If you can leave a bit to grow its amazing what wildlife comes along. The other option is just to mow less frequently which will still allow daisies, clovers etc to flower

[bikermike]

I have not mowed our front lawn for about two months from a combination of busyness, laziness and a broken lawnmower. I strimmed the rye-grass heads that have shown themselves, but above the level of the clover, and it's busy with bees, (including not-honey or bumble bees), hoverflies etc.

Overall, I reckon the best thing is to keep the main bit as long as you sensibly can (better for it in dry years as well), and avoid mowing the clover flowers when they are flowering